In-home red light therapy devices have been proven to help produce vitamin D and aid with skin vitality. Read the blog post below to learn how.
Approximately 42 percent of Americans are deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in bone health, muscle health, mood stability, immune system function, and more.
Are you worried about your vitamin D levels? If you can’t get a lot of direct sunlight (which most argue is the best way to increase vitamin D), spending time in front of a red light therapy device can be very effective.
Read on to learn more about the red light therapy-vitamin D connection.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a treatment often used in spas and dermatology clinics to improve skin health and appearance. It uses low wavelength red light to penetrate the skin and stimulate mitochondrial function. This, in turn, improves healing and helps a variety of bodily processes to happen more efficiently.
Red Light Therapy Benefits
In addition to addressing skin issues like wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and acne, red light therapy offers a variety of other benefits. The following are some of the most well-known ones:
- Reduced pain and inflammation
- Increased joint mobility
- Faster wound healing
- Faster hair growth
Some people also find that sitting in front of a red light therapy device helps to reduce stress and improve their sleep quality.
Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency
Before we get into the relationship between red light therapy devices and vitamin D, let’s address some warning signs of vitamin D deficiency. Millions of Americans struggle with low levels of vitamin D, but they might not even realize it.
Here are some of the most noteworthy signs to watch for:
- Fatigue
- Bone and muscle pain
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Depression or mood changes
If you’re struggling with these symptoms, you may want to consult your doctor and ask them to test your vitamin D levels.
Does Red Light Therapy Give You Vitamin D?
If you find out that your vitamin D levels are low, your doctor might recommend taking vitamin D supplements or spending more time in the sun. These are good options, but you can also incorporate other practices into your routine to increase vitamin D production, such as red light therapy.
Can you get vitamin D from red light therapy? Yes! Here’s how:
- Red light therapy may help to thicken the dermis (the middle layer of the skin that contains capillaries, nerve endings, sweat glands, and hair follicles), which allows it to produce vitamin D more efficiently
- Red light therapy mitigates the negative effects of sun exposure (sunburns, skin damage, etc.), which allows you to safely utilize the sun to naturally boost vitamin D levels
Red light therapy is also a good option for those who aren’t able to get a lot of natural sunlight exposure.
For instance, take those who live in cloudy places or whose schedules don’t allow them to spend time outside when the sun is the brightest. For these individuals, combining red light therapy with vitamin D supplementation and occasional sun exposure could be a good compromise that still helps them see results and combat symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.
How to Use a Red Light Therapy Device at Home
Many medspas and dermatology clinics have red light therapy devices available for patients. However, driving to and from these facilities is time-consuming, and it can be expensive to schedule appointments for treatments (especially if they’re not covered by insurance).
An effective alternative is to invest in red light therapy at home. You can install panels in your in-home sauna or purchase a portable device that sits on your desk. This allows you to experience the benefits of red light therapy whenever you want without having to leave the house.
If you’ve never used a red light therapy device at home, here are some tips that will help you to boost vitamin D levels and get the most out of it:
Choose the Right Location
Start by setting up your red light therapy device in a good location for you. This might be inside your sauna, in your bedroom, in your office, etc. Just be sure to pick a place that’s easy for you to get to and that you visit consistently. Otherwise, you may find yourself forgetting to use your device regularly.
Put Sessions in Your Schedule
If you find that you’re regularly forgetting to use your red light device, put your sessions in your schedule.
Consistency is the key to seeing results from red light therapy (and most other treatments, for that matter). Set an alarm so you remember to include this in your daily wellness routine.
Start Low and Slow
Start with short sessions once per day or once every other day. Even sitting in front of your device for just 3-5 minutes is better than nothing and will help you gradually incorporate treatments into your routine.
Keep in mind, you won’t feel much heat from the device, so you won’t have to worry about burning your skin if you sit for longer periods.
Monitor Progress
Pay attention to your symptoms over several weeks. Take note of how you feel when you first start using red light therapy and how you feel as time goes on. After a few months, get your vitamin D levels checked again to see if they’ve improved.
Combine Red Light Therapy with Something Else
If you have a hard time being consistent with your red light therapy sessions because you find them boring, combine them with something else. Listen to your favorite podcast or do a guided meditation. Pairing the two things can help you to feel more productive and make it easier for you to resist the urge to skip a session.
Boost Your Vitamin D with Red Light Therapy Today
Now that you know more about the link between red light therapy and vitamin D, are you interested in giving this treatment a try?
Check out our collection of red light therapy devices today to find the perfect in-home solution for your needs. From sauna panels to portable devices, we’ve got all kinds of options for you at Sun Home Saunas.
